Media Listing November 2016

Global

EU deportation of migrants ‘adds to Afghanistan's instability’, says UN: Chaloka Beyani, UN special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons says that EU plans to deport Afghan asylum seekers will not only leave tens of thousands of migrants in despair in Afghanistan, but also undermine security in the war-torn country. (The Guardian – 01/11/2016)

The African Union (AU) should do more for forced migrants: During the second meeting of the AU’s Peace and and Security Council (PSC) held in October 2016, humanitarian agencies urged the African Union together with UN to advance the robust protection of African migrants. (Reliefweb – 04/11/2016)

Refugees forced to depend on human smugglers: study: A report by the Mediterranean Migration Research Programme (MEDMIG) claims that European migration policies, by their focus on keeping migrants out, have only led to migrants undertaking perilous journeys that are more often smuggler-facilitated. (DW – 04/11/2016)

Migration: Reversing Africa’s exodus: This article reviews recent EU initiatives aimed at stemming the flow of African migrants to Europe in exchange for increased aid and investments to cooperating countries. Some African nations and aid agencies have criticized this approach arguing that it amounts to bribery in disguise. (Financial Times – 06/11/2016)

Why cooperating with Libya on migration could damage the EU’s standing: A statement issued by Human Rights Watch argues that EU’s cooperation with Libyan naval forces to stem the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea could damage EU’s human rights standing. The statement urges for cooperation with Libyan authorities to be linked to human rights benchmarks. (Human Rights Watch – 07/11/2016)

Smuggling networks being industrialised, MOAS says: According to MOAS, smuggling networks are becoming more industrialised in order to keep up with the demand, resulting in people being set in larger numbers and in lower quality rubber boats. The search and rescue organization noted that the changing approach by smugglers has overwhelmed its humanitarian efforts in 2016 compared to past years. (Malta Today – 16/11/2016)

Upgrading the EU’s Migration Partnerships: The author of this article argues that EU’s policies to manage migration inflows should be upgraded to enhance their sustainability by improving the financial offer, opening up new legal pathways for migration and placing greater emphasis on the protection of vulnerable groups. (Carnegie Europe – 21/11/2016)

2016 sets new record for asylum seekers reaching Italy by boat: According to this article, more asylum seekers and migrants have reached in Italy by boat in 2016 that in any previous year on record. Towards the end of November 2016, nearly 171,000 people had arrived in Italy since the beginning of 2016. (The Guardian – 28/11/2016)

Why Europe’s ‘fortress’ approach to migration crisis won’t work: This article argues that EU’s policies to stem the inflow of migrants and refugees from Africa are not sustainable and are bound to fail unless focus is placed on investing in development in origin countries. The authors also caution that EU’s policies risk to undermine Africa’s development policies. (The Conversation – 17/11/2016)

French government offers refugees and migrants €2,500 to 'voluntarily' deport themselves: French immigration authority announces that refugees and migrants who voluntarily return to their own countries before the end of the year will be offered a 2,500 euro grant as a form of compensation. Other benefits offered include air-fare and opportunity for some refugees to be granted 10,000 euro grant to set up own businesses when they return home. (Independent – 25/11/2016)

Child rights agencies call on EU to put refugee and migrant children first: A joint statement issued by 78 humanitarian agencies including Save the Children and UNICEF call on EU to do more to protect refugee and migrant children noting that failure to prioritize the protection of children is putting more children at risk. Between January 2015 and September 2016, more than 664,000 children have claimed asylum in Europe while more than 700 children have lost their lives at sea trying to reach Europe in 2016 alone. (UNICEF – 29/11/2016)

EU policies put refugees at risk: Human Rights Watch issue a statement urging EU to adhere to the human rights values in the midst of an unprecedented global displacement crisis. In particular, the human rights organization calls on EU to prioritize a number of recommendations including sustained saving of lives at sea, ensuring “externalization” of migration management does not jeopardize access to protection and respect for human rights and increasing safe and legal channels into EU. (Human Rights Watch – 23/11/2016)

Turkey threatens EU with new refugee surge: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey threatens to open Turkey's borders to allow refugees and migrants to reach the European Union if EU accession talks are halted. In early 2016, EU and Turkey signed a deal to halt the flow of migrants which has been considered successful in reducing migrant flows on Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece. (Al Jazeera – 25/11/2016)

The Eastern Aegean is becoming Europe’s Nauru: This article highlights the plight of an estimated 62,000 migrants stranded across various Greek islands and the mainland following the singing of the EU-Turkey migrant deal in March 2016. (IRIN News – 28/11/2016)

Egypt

Egypt's Sisi ratifies law to curb migrant smuggling: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi approves legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigration and cracking down on migrant smuggling in Egypt. In addition to punitive measures, the new law provides for the formation of a national committee to combat illegal immigration and migrant smuggling and establishes a fund to assist victims of trafficking. (Ahram Online – 08/11/2016)

Eritrea

President Isaias urges for concerted global efforts: In a statement to various Heads of State and Government, President Isaias of Eritrea calls on the international community to address the plight of refugees and migrants through implementation of durable and effective solutions. The President noted that the influx of refugees and migrants has mainly been exacerbated by “misguided policies and interventions by certain powers” in some regions of the world. (Ministry of Information Eritrea – 08/11/2016)

Kenya delays closure of Dadaab camp by six months: Kenyan government extends the deadline for closing Dadaab refugee camp by six months citing the “delicate security situation in Somalia.” In a statement read to the press, the government also indicated that ongoing voluntary repatriations will continue uninterrupted. (Daily Nation – 16/11/2016)

Libya

Libya will be ICC’s priority in 2017: In a statement to United Nations Security Council, ICC chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda indicates that Libya will be a top priority for ICC in 2017 citing widespread violence, lawlessness and impunity in the country. (Middle East Monitor – 11/11/2016)

Most migrants in Libya intend to stay, not heading for Europe: According to a report released by IOM Libya’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), majority of migrants interviewed across key monitoring points in Libya intend to remain in the country. Other notable destination countries reported by migrants include Italy, Germany and France. (IOM Press – 22/11/2016)

South Sudan

UN: 'Ethnic cleansing under way' in South Sudan: A UN commission on human rights in South Sudan cautions that a steady process of ethnic cleansing is underway in the country, involving massacres, starvation, gang rape and the destruction of villages. (Al Jazeera – 30/11/2016)

Uganda

Ugandan government drafts national migration policy: According to this article, Ugandan government has finalized the drafting of a national policy on migration which addresses irregular migration, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, labour migration, diaspora engagement, dual citizenship among other things. (New Vision – 11/11/2016)

Yemen

28 Ethiopian illegal migrants arrested in Sanaa: According to Yemeni security forces, 28 Ethiopian nationals have been arrested in Sanhan district of Sanaa province for illegally entering the country. Three Yemenis suspected to be smuggling the migrants were also detained. (Yemen News Agency – 09/11/2016)

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief supports IOM evacuations from Yemen to Somalia: With support from Saudi’s humanitarian agency KSrelief, IOM evacuates 127 Somalis fleeing the conflict in Yemen. The refugees arrived in Berbera, Somaliland, from Aden, Yemen on a boat organized by IOM. IOM plans to evacuate 2,500 Somalis still stranded in Yemen over the next seven months. (IOM Press - 11/11/2016)

Yemeni immigration authority returns 150 illegal Ethiopian migrants: According to Yemeni immigration authority, 150 Ethiopian migrants arrested by security forces for entering Yemen illegally have been deported back to Ethiopia. The return was made through the Red Sea port city of al-Hodayda in collaboration with IOM. (Yemen News Agency – 13/11/2016)

IOM: African migrants deported from Yemen under deplorable conditions: IOM reports that Yemeni authorities are deporting hundreds of migrants from the Horn of Africa to Djibouti under deplorable conditions. According to the organization, migrants from Ethiopia were mostly affected by the deportations citing a recent event where 82 Ethiopians were forcibly returned to a small coastal town, about 30 kilometres from Obock in Djibouti. (VOA – 14/11/2016)

UNHCR warns against risky sea crossings as 100,000 reach Yemen this year: UNHCR calls for urgent support in countries of origin and transit in Horn of Africa to discourage people from attempting the deadly crossing to Yemen. This comes as more than 100,000 migrants, mainly Ethiopians and Somalis, arrive in Yemen in 2016 compared to 92,446 in 2015 and just 25,898 in 2006. (UNHCR – 29/11/2016)

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